New hires struggle with business etiquette, drug tests

Published: Friday, December 6, 2013 at 10:47 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, December 6, 2013 at 10:47 p.m.

Finding workers to fill the abundance of oilfield and marine jobs is one problem that south Louisiana companies have been having. Finding workers who can pass drug tests and show up on time is another.

The stories abound: Companies spend thousands recruiting employees into paid training programs only to have half or more drop out, show up late or flunk drug tests.

South Central Industrial Association Executive Director Jane Arnette wants to see public schools teach soft skills, such as how to interview for a job, work ethic and employee etiquette.

“Soft skills aren't being handed down from parents the way they used to be,” Arnette said during a meeting Wednesday where educators, business people and government officials discussed the issue.

Arnette told the story of one local company that needed several newly hired workers to split weekend shifts. Of nine scheduled to work a weekend shift, three did not even show up.

“Are those three going to see any ramifications for not showing up?” Arnette said. “No, they're going to get a slap on the wrist because these companies can't find workers.”

Others say schools may not be able to help.

Terrebonne Parish Council Chairwoman Beryl Amedee describes the problem as cultural, societal and out of the realm of public education.

“The problem we are discussing is the lack of soft skills, including the ability to simply pass a drug screening,” Amedee said. “That is a societal problem. That problem has not been caused by our education system, but it has been exacerbated by our education system.”

Locally nearly half of all failed drug tests are due to marijuana, according to Frank Bonvillain, manager at MMSI Services.

Bonvillain, who has been in the drug testing business for 17 years, said employers may be having difficulty due to the lack of overall availability of workers.

“Our unemployment is 4.9 percent, the lowest in the state,” Bonvillain said. “Part of the problem is that many of those unemployed, who are looking for jobs, they may not have jobs because they failed drug tests.”

Chris Naquin, a manager at Houma-based recruiting firm Hutco, agrees.

“A lot of them we are getting, we are having issues with them passing” drug tests, he said. “I had three of them pass this week out of maybe five or six.”

<p>Finding workers to fill the abundance of oilfield and marine jobs is one problem that south Louisiana companies have been having. Finding workers who can pass drug tests and show up on time is another.</p><p>The stories abound: Companies spend thousands recruiting employees into paid training programs only to have half or more drop out, show up late or flunk drug tests.</p><p>South Central Industrial Association Executive Director Jane Arnette wants to see public schools teach soft skills, such as how to interview for a job, work ethic and employee etiquette.</p><p>“Soft skills aren't being handed down from parents the way they used to be,” Arnette said during a meeting Wednesday where educators, business people and government officials discussed the issue.</p><p>Arnette told the story of one local company that needed several newly hired workers to split weekend shifts. Of nine scheduled to work a weekend shift, three did not even show up.</p><p>“Are those three going to see any ramifications for not showing up?” Arnette said. “No, they're going to get a slap on the wrist because these companies can't find workers.”</p><p>Others say schools may not be able to help.</p><p>Terrebonne Parish Council Chairwoman Beryl Amedee describes the problem as cultural, societal and out of the realm of public education.</p><p>“The problem we are discussing is the lack of soft skills, including the ability to simply pass a drug screening,” Amedee said. “That is a societal problem. That problem has not been caused by our education system, but it has been exacerbated by our education system.”</p><p>Locally nearly half of all failed drug tests are due to marijuana, according to Frank Bonvillain, manager at MMSI Services.</p><p>Bonvillain, who has been in the drug testing business for 17 years, said employers may be having difficulty due to the lack of overall availability of workers.</p><p>“Our unemployment is 4.9 percent, the lowest in the state,” Bonvillain said. “Part of the problem is that many of those unemployed, who are looking for jobs, they may not have jobs because they failed drug tests.”</p><p>Chris Naquin, a manager at Houma-based recruiting firm Hutco, agrees.</p><p>“A lot of them we are getting, we are having issues with them passing” drug tests, he said. “I had three of them pass this week out of maybe five or six.”</p>